System and Method for Tracking Items Stored in a Compartment

ABSTRACT

An item tracking system includes a plurality of items for storage and removal from a compartment. The system includes tags affixed to the items and configured to store identifiers for the items. A tag reader receives data from the tags in response to the items being removed from and returned to the compartment. A sensor in the compartment identifies a state change associated with the compartment. A processor identifies removal of an item with data received by the tag reader, identifies the state change with the sensor after the item is removed and before it is returned, and generates an output with an output device including the identifier corresponding to the item in response to the state change in the compartment.

This application is a continuation application of co-pending applicationSer. No. 13/604,865, filed on Sep. 6, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No.8,970,377), the disclosure of such application which is totallyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to item storage, inventory tracking,and inventory management systems, and, more specifically, to systems andmethods for tracking items that are removed from and returned to acompartment during use.

BACKGROUND

Service workers in a wide range of industries, including constructionworkers, plumbers, electricians, telecommunication service personnel,and HVAC service personnel often travel to work sites to participate inwork projects. Since the work sites often lack the tools and suppliesrequired to complete a project, the workers often carry some or all ofthe necessary equipment in a vehicle, such as a van or work truck, tothe work site. For example, a work truck often carries a wide range oftools from hammers and screwdrivers to power tools including drills,saws, belt sanders, nail drivers, and the like. Tools can includefurther components such as batteries, replaceable drill bits, sawblades, sanding pads, and the like, which may require occasionalreplacement during a job. Additionally, the work truck often includes awide range of consumables, such as nuts, bolts, washers, screws, nails,lumber, pipe, wire, and the like, which typically remain on the worksite as part of the finished project. Consumables can further includeitems such as water, sunscreen, stock for portable restrooms, and otherproducts, which are consumed at the work site.

Proper organization of tools and consumables in a work vehicle and onthe work site enables workers to operate more efficiently. For example,a properly organized tool system enables a worker to find an appropriatetool for a task, such as a power screwdriver, the screws properly sizedto secure two structures to one another, and a screwdriver bit that fitsthe power screwdriver and mates with the selected screws. If any one ofthese items cannot be efficiently located, then time is wasted searchingfor the correct components to perform the task.

An example of an organizational system that enables efficient storageand access to tools and consumables is sold commercially as theGlobelyst System from Sortimo International GmbH of Zusmarshausen,Germany. The Globelyst System includes a modular system of shelving andrails that holds a plurality of storage containers, which are soldcommercially as L-Boxxes by Sortimo and by Robert Bosch GmBH ofStuttgart, Germany. The individual L-Boxxes lock together and engageshelves and rails in the Globelyst System to enable organization andstorage of the L-Boxxes in a secure manner in the vehicle duringtransport. The L-Boxxes are optionally removable for convenienttransport between the vehicle and the work site. The molded inserts inthe L-Boxxes enable secure storage and organization of power toolswithin the L-Boxxes. Due to the modular design of the Globelyst Systemand L-Boxxes, the work vehicle can store a wide variety of differenttool and consumable loads to accommodate the requirements of differentprojects. While the Globelyst System is described for illustrativepurposes, various other organizational systems including one or morecontainers, shelves, and drawers are known to the art for storage andorganization of tools and consumables at a work site.

While the existing storage containers can provide organization forstoring and organizing tools and consumables, the management of toolsand consumables often go beyond storage and organization. For example,while containers of consumables and tools can be stored in an organizedarrangement within a workshop or work vehicle, the containers and toolsare often removed from the organized system and can be scattered arounda work site. In a busy worksite, containers and tools can often bemislaid or stolen. Additionally, many items used at a work site shouldbe returned to a work vehicle or other storage location at the end ofeach work day, but some items are often overlooked and are leftvulnerable to damage or theft when the work site is not occupied. Thus,improvements to item management systems that enable improved tracking ititems at work sites would be beneficial.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a system for tracking locations of items has beendeveloped. The system includes a plurality of items, each item beingconfigured to be stored and removed from a compartment, a plurality oftags affixed to the plurality of items in a one-to-one correspondence touniquely identify each item in the plurality of items with an identifierstored in each tag, a tag reading device associated with the compartmentand configured to receive data from each tag in the plurality of tags inresponse to each removal from and each return to the compartment of eachitem in the plurality of items, a sensor configured to identify a statechange of the compartment, an output device, and a processorcommunicatively coupled to the tag reading device, the sensor, and theoutput device. The processor is configured to identify removal of oneitem in the plurality of items from the compartment with reference tothe identifier stored in the tag begin received by the tag readingdevice, identify the state change in the compartment with the sensorafter identification of the removal of the one item and withoutidentifying that the one item has been returned to the compartment, andgenerate an output with the output device that includes the identifiercorresponding to the one item in response to the identification of thestate change in the compartment.

In another embodiment, a method for tracking locations of items has beendeveloped. The method includes receiving, with a tag reading deviceassociated with the compartment, data from a tag affixed to one item inresponse to the one item being removed from the compartment, the datafrom the tag including an identifier corresponding to the one item,identifying, with a processor associated with the compartment, theremoval of the one item from the compartment with reference to theidentifier corresponding to the one item in the data received from thetag reading device, generating, with the a sensor associated with thecompartment, a signal in response to a state change in the compartment,generating, with the processor, an output message including theidentifier corresponding to the one item in response to receiving thesignal from the sensor without identifying a return of the one item tothe compartment, and producing, with an output device, an outputcorresponding to the output message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inventory management system thattracks the presence and absence of items from a storage compartment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tagged container holding one or moreitems that is stored a compartment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an active tag that is affixed to thecontainer in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of components in a mobile electronicdevice that is configured to operate with the system depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle that carries a compartmentfor storing a plurality of items.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a tool with a tag that stores data aboutthe tool and attachments and accessories that are used with the tool.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a mobile electronic device with a displayscreen identifying a location of a missing item in a compartment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a process for tracking the presence orabsence of items from a storage compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theembodiments described herein, reference is now made to the drawings anddescriptions in the following written specification. No limitation tothe scope of the subject matter is intended by these references. Thispatent also encompasses any alterations and modifications to theillustrated embodiments as well as further applications of theprinciples of the described embodiments as would normally occur to oneskilled in the art to which this document pertains.

As used herein, the term “mobile electronic device” refers to anyelectronic device that is configured to receive messages that identifyitems that are missing from a storage compartment. Examples of mobileelectronic devices include, but are not limited to, smartphones,tablets, notebook computers, and the like. Another example of a mobileelectronic device is a wearable computing device, such as a computingdevice that is integrated with a pair of glasses or other articles ofclothing. The wearable computing device includes one or more sensorsthat read and optionally write data to tags. Still another example of amobile electronic device is an in-vehicle computing system that displaysinformation retrieved from tags. In some configurations, the in-vehiclecomputing system includes one or more tag sensors in the vehicle to readand optionally write data to tags, while other configurations include adisplay, such as a dashboard display, to enable a user to view tag dataretrieved using another mobile electronic device such as a smartphone.The mobile electronic devices use a combination of hardware and softwareto receive messages, display information about the missing items, and tosend messages acknowledging the missing items. Some mobile electronicdevice embodiments include a sensor configured to read data stored intags that are affixed to containers and tools.

As used herein, the term “tag” refers to any device or article that isaffixed to a container or tool to store data about items held in thecontainer or about the tool. The tag stores data in a format that isreadable by one or more mobile electronic devices. One type of tagincludes a radio transponder with an integrated memory. Examples ofradio transponder tags include radio frequency ID (RFID) and near fieldcommunication (NFC) tags. The radio transponder tags can store data thatare read by a radio transceiver in the mobile electronic device. Someforms of radio transponder tags include a writeable memory that storesdata transmitted from the radio transceiver in the mobile electronicdevice during a data write operation in addition to providing storeddata to the mobile electronic device during a data read operation. MostRFID and NFC tags are referred to as “passive” tags that only operatewhen energized by an external sensor that supplies electrical power forthe tag. Another type of tag, referred to as an “active tag” isdescribed below for use in tracking items that are outside of thecontainer. The active tag includes an internal electrical power source,such as a battery, and wireless transceivers that are configured to sendand receive over a longer range than is typical for passive tags.

NFC tags operate using a short-range wireless communication signal,typically over a distance of several centimeters between a tag readerand a passive NFC tag that does not include a battery or independentpower source. Active NFC tags include a battery or other independentpower source and can communicate over longer distances. Typical NFC tagsand tag sensors operate, for example, at 13.56 MHz with an over-the-aircommunication interface defined by the ISO/IEC 18000-3 standard. TypicalNFC data transmission rates ranging from, for example, 106 kbit/s to 424kbit/s. In general, NFC tags operate at lower radio frequencies thanother forms of passive RFID that typically operate in the hundreds ofmegahertz or gigahertz frequency bands.

As used herein, the term “container” refers to a storage device thatholds one or more items, which can include consumable items and toolsthat are used at a work site. A compartment in a work vehicle, toolshed, warehouse, or other structure stores one or more containers. A tagassociated with the container identifies one or more types of items thatare stored in the container.

As used herein, the term “tool” refers to any item used at a work sitethat is returned to a compartment for storage after use. Some tools arestored in a tagged container that is removed from the compartment alongwith the tool, while other tools include a tag that is affixed to thetool and remains affixed to the tool during use at the work site fortracking the tool individually. Cordless power tools include a batteryand these tools are configured to engage a charging device in thestorage compartment. Examples of tools include, but are not limited to,saws, drills, nail drivers, rotary tools, hammers, screw drivers, andthe like. Tools include both power tools, which typically operate withelectric, pneumatic, or hydraulic power, and unpowered tools, which aremanually manipulated. Unpowered tools include, but are not limited tohand tools such as hammers and screwdrivers. Tools also include largeritems such as table saws, air compressors, pumps, work benches, and anyitem that is carried to and from the work site.

As used herein, the term “compartment” refers to any enclosure or otherstructure that stores items, such as containers and tools. Thecontainers and tools are removed and returned to the compartment duringuse. During operation, the compartment undergoes one or more “statechanges” that can trigger an alert in an inventory management system ifone or more containers or tools are absent from the compartment at thetime of the state change. For example, one state change occurs when adoor to the compartment is closed and locked. When a compartment iseither integrated with a work vehicle or towed by the work vehicle,other state changes are possible. These other state changes includedetection of vehicle movement or sensing of a vehicle transmissionshifting from a park gear to a drive gear. This shifting typicallyoccurs just prior to the vehicle being driven. As described below, aninventory management system tracks containers and tools that are storedin the compartment to ensure that the containers and tools within thecontainers are accounted for at the work site during state changes ofthe compartment.

As used herein, references to “global positioning system” (GPS)receivers refer to any device that receives signals from externaltransmitters to identify a geographic location of the GPS receiver.While GPS is commonly associated with the global positioning systemoperated by the United States Government, as used in this disclosure,the term “GPS” also refers to any equivalent system including, but notlimited to, GLONASS, Galileo, and augmented GPS systems including thewide area augmentation system (WAAS) and differential GPS (DGPS)systems.

FIG. 1 depicts an inventory management system 100 that enables trackingof items as the items are removed and returned to a storage compartment.The system 100 includes at least one mobile electronic device 104, aprocessor and sensors integrated with a storage compartment, which isdepicted as a storage compartment 512 in a vehicle 106 in FIG. 1, aninventory management server 108, a management terminal 152, a pluralityof tagged containers 136 within the compartment 512, and one or moretagged tools 140 within the containers 136. FIG. 1 depicts both a sideview and a rear view of the vehicle 106. The vehicle 106 includes astorage compartment 512 for the containers 136, tools 140, and chargingstations 138. Doors 134 provide access to the compartment 512 to enableitems to be removed and returned to the compartment 512. While FIG. 1depicts a vehicle 106 having a compartment for storing containers andtools, other compartment embodiments include storage sheds, cages,warehouses, and any other enclosure that stores containers and tools ina secure manner.

In the inventory management system 100, the inventory management server108 includes hardware and software to implement a message service 112and item status database (DB) 116. In FIG. 1, the server 108 includesmultiple hardware computing devices in a clustered configuration toprovide scalability and fault tolerance, but a single computing deviceimplements the functionality of the server 108 in another embodiment.The databases and services implemented in the inventory managementserver 108 and the operation of the remove inventory server 108 aredescribed in more detail below.

In the inventory management server 108, the message service 112 iscommunicatively coupled to the mobile electronic device 104, a processorin the vehicle 106, a management terminal 152, and optionally to activetags in items stored in the vehicle 106 through a data network, such asthe Internet. The vehicle processor and related components are shown anddescribed below with reference to FIG. 5. The message service 112receives item status update messages from the processor operating awireless adapter in vehicle 106 in response to containers 136 and tools140 being removed from and returned to the compartment 512. The messageservice 112 also receives alert messages from the mobile device 104 orthe processor within the vehicle 106 in response to the state of thecompartment 512 changing and one or more items being absent from thecompartment 512.

The item status DB 116 includes tables and other appropriate datastructures that are useful for storing information regarding the statusof items associated with the compartment 512. The item status DBincludes identifiers for items stored in the containers 136 and thetools 140. The identifiers in the item status DB correspond to theidentifiers stored in tags in the containers 136 and tools 140, or toidentifiers for the charging stations 138. The message service 112 isoperatively connected to the item status DB 116, and updates the itemstatus DB 116 in response to receiving a message from the processor invehicle 106 that an item has been removed from or returned to thecompartment 512.

In the system 100, an external management terminal 152, such as apersonal computer (PC), smartphone, or tablet computer, accesses theitem status DB 116 to enable a manager to review the status of items inthe vehicle 106. In particular, the management terminal enables amanager to identify which items are present in the storage compartment512 at various times as the vehicle 106 is used at the work site.Additionally, if the state of the compartment 512 changes while one ormore items are absent from the compartment, the item DB is updated withan alert status and the management terminal 152 receives alert messagesto inform managers about the items that are not present in the workvehicle 106. The server 108 implements a web server portal to enable themanagement terminal 152 to use a web browser software program to accessthe item status DB 116 and the other functionality of the server 108.

In FIG. 1, the vehicle 106 carries a plurality of containers 136. FIG. 2depicts an illustrative example of one container 204 with an active tag208 affixed to the container 204. The container 204 is configured tointerlock with other containers in the storage compartment 512 of thevehicle 106 for secure storage of the containers 136 during transport.The container 204 can be removed from the compartment 512 when thevehicle 106 is located at a work site. The active tag 208 enables themobile electronic device 104 or management terminal 152 to query thelocation of the container 204 when the container 204 is outside of thecompartment 512. In another configuration, a passive tag, such as anRFID or NFC tag, is affixed to the container 204, and a memory in thepassive tag stores an identifier for each item stored in the container204.

The active tag 208 is configured to communicate with the inventorymanagement server 108, vehicle processor 504, and mobile electronicdevice 104 over longer distances than typical passive RFID tags. FIG. 3depicts the active tag 208 in more detail. The tag 208 includes a tagprocessor 304, tag memory 308, GPS receiver 312, a wireless networkadapter 316, and an antenna 320. An internal battery 302 provideselectrical power to the tag processor 304, tag memory 308, GPS receiver312, and wireless network adapter 316. The tag processor 304 istypically a low-power processor that is integrated with one or more ofthe tag memory 308, GPS receiver 312, and wireless network adapter 316in a system on a chip (SoC) configuration to reduce the power drawn fromthe battery 302. The battery 302 is recharged when the container 204 andactive tag 208 are returned to the compartment 512.

In a listening mode, the tag processor 304 and wireless network adapter316 operate in a low-power mode to receive incoming location requestquery messages. After receiving a location request query, the GPSreceiver 312 is activated for a sufficient time to identify the locationof the tag 208, and the tag processor 304 sends a response that includesthe item identifier data stored in the tag memory and the location datafrom the GPS receiver. The processor 304 subsequently deactivates theGPS 312 and returns to the low power listening mode.

The tag processor 304 and wireless network adapter 316 are alsoconfigured to exchange data with the radio tag readers 544 in thecompartment 512. Thus, the active tag 208 includes the functionality ofpassive tags and further enables a remote computing device, such as themobile electronic device 104 or management terminal 152, to identify thelocation of the active tag 208 and container 204. Active tags, such asthe tag 208, can be affixed to containers and to tools.

FIG. 4 depicts the mobile electronic device 104 in more detail. Themobile electronic device 104 includes a processor 404, memory 408,wireless network adapter 412, tag sensor 416, a display device 420,input device 424, and an optional global positioning system (GPS)receiver 428. The processor 404 includes one or more central processingunits (CPU), graphical processing units (GPU), digital signal processors(DSP), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), and application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC) devices. The processor 404 reads and writesdata from the memory 408. The memory 408 includes a non-volatile datastorage device, such as solid state data storage, for long-term storageof data and instructions for software application programs, whichinclude operating system software and software application programs thatsend and receive messages in the system 100. In some embodiments, thememory 408 includes volatile data storage devices, such as static ordynamic random access memory (RAM), for short-term data storage duringoperation. In the mobile electronic device 104, the processor 404 andother components including the memory 408, wireless network adapter 412,tag sensor 416, and GPS receiver 428 can be integrated into a singledevice in a SoC configuration.

In the mobile electronic device 104, the processor 404 is operativelyconnected to the tag sensor 416. In one configuration, the tag sensor416 is a radio transceiver that activates a radio transponder in a tagwhen the tag sensor 416 is held in close proximity to the tag. The tagsensor 416 radiates a small amount of energy to provide power to the taginductively through an antenna coil connected to the radio transponderin the tag, although some tag embodiments include an independent powersource. The tag sensor 416 includes a radio transceiver that receivesdata stored in the tag. In some configurations, the radio transceiver inthe tag sensor 416 sends data to the radio transponder in the tag aspart of a query for information stored in the tag or to store new datain the tag memory.

In the mobile electronic device 104, the wireless network adapter 412 isoperatively connected to the processor 404 and includes a combination ofhardware and/or software modules that enable communication using one ormore wireless data networks, which can include wireless wide areanetworks (WWAN) and wireless local area networks (WLAN). The wirelessnetwork adapter 412 enables the mobile electronic device 104 tocommunicate with the inventory management server 108 and the vehicle 106in the system 100. For example, the wireless network adapter 412receives alert messages from the vehicle 106 or inventory managementserver 108, and sends messages to the management server 108 thatacknowledge the absence of items from the compartment in the vehicle106.

The mobile electronic device 104 includes a display 420 and input device424 to enable interaction with an operator in possession of the mobileelectronic device 104. The display 420 typically includes a liquidcrystal display (LCD) or organic light emitting diode (OLED) outputpanel that displays graphics, text, and other visible indicia associatedwith messages received from the processor in the vehicle 106 and theinventory management server 108. The input devices 424 include, but arenot limited to, touch screen inputs, virtual and physical keyboards,mice, speech input and recognition systems, and the like. Duringoperation of the mobile electronic device 104, the display 420 and inputdevices 424 enable operators to review and acknowledge alert messagesthat identify missing items from the compartment and optionally querymissing items that include active tags. Additionally, the display 420generates visual depictions of the location of missing items thatinclude the active tags.

In the mobile electronic device 104, the optional GPS receiver 428generates geolocation data for the mobile electronic device 104. The GPSreceiver 428 generates the geolocation data with a high degree ofprecision. In conjunction with mapping software programs or onlineservices, the processor 404 can automatically identify an estimatedstreet address of the mobile electronic device 104 for identifying thelocation of the mobile electronic device and for identifying a relativelocation of a tagged item, such as a tagged container or tool, thatincludes an active tag configured to transmit location data to themobile electronic device 104.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic diagram of components in the vehicle 106. Thevehicle 106 includes an in-vehicle processor 504, memory 508, in-vehicleinformation system 516, optional vehicle GPS 532, wireless networkadapter 536, and one or both of a transmission gear sensor 524 andspeedometer sensor 528 coupled to the vehicle transmission 520. Thestorage compartment 512 holds a plurality of tagged items 540, whichinclude the tagged containers 136 and tagged tools 140 depicted inFIG. 1. The storage compartment 512 also includes one or more tagreading devices, such as radio tag readers 544, a tool charging station138, tool charging sensors 548, a compartment door 134, and a doorlocked/unlocked sensor 560.

In the vehicle 106, the processor 504 includes one or more centralprocessing units (CPU), graphical processing units (GPU), digital signalprocessors (DSP), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), and applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC) devices. The processor 504 reads andwrites data from the memory 508. The memory 508 includes a non-volatiledata storage device, such as solid state data storage, for long-termstorage of data and instructions for software application programs,which include operating system software and software applicationprograms that send and receive messages in the system 100. In someembodiments, the memory 508 includes volatile data storage devices, suchas static or dynamic random access memory (RAM), for short-term datastorage during operation.

In the vehicle 106, the memory 508 further includes an item statusdatabase (DB) 510. The item status DB 510 includes tables or otherappropriate data structures that are used to store identifiers for eachof the tagged items 540 in a memory, and optionally store identifiersfor untagged tools that are configured for use with the tool chargingstation 138. The item status DB 510 provides an in-vehicle record ofitems that are presently stored in the compartment 512 and items thathave been removed from the compartment. In one embodiment, the itemstatus DB 510 and the item status DB 116 in the inventory managementserver 108 store the same information for the status of the storagecompartment 512. The vehicle processor 504 sends update messages to theinventory management server 108 with the wireless network adapter 536 tosynchronize the data in the item status DB 510 and the item status DB116 stored in the inventory management server 108. In anotherembodiment, the memory 508 does not include the item status DB 510 andthe processor 504 only stores data corresponding to the status of theitems in the compartment 512 in the item status DB 116 using thewireless network adapter 536.

The vehicle processor 504 is operatively connected to the radio tagreaders 544. The radio tag readers 544 are distributed through thestorage compartment 512 to ensure reading of data from the tags affixedto the tagged items 540 when the items 540 are removed from thecompartment 512 or returned to the compartment 512. For example, theradio tag sensors can be arranged around the frame of the compartmentdoor 134 where the items 540 enter and exit the compartment 512. Inanother configuration, the tag readers 544 are arranged in proximity topredetermined locations of tagged containers and tools in thecompartment 512. When a tagged container or tool is removed fromproximity to the corresponding radio tag reader 544, the vehicleprocessor 504 receives a message indicating that the item has beenremoved. When the item is returned, the radio tag reader 544 identifiesthe presence of the item, and the identity of the item from data storedin the item tag.

The vehicle processor 504 is also operatively connected to the chargingstation sensor 548. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the charging stationsensor 548 is an electrical continuity sensor that identifies if a toolis engaged to a corresponding connector in the tool charging station 138for recharging. The tool charging station 138 enables the entire tool tobe connected to an electrical charger without having to remove thebattery from the tool. Individual connectors in the tool chargingstation are assigned to a single tool and the charging station sensor548 generates signals indicating the connection or disconnection of aparticular tool from the tool charging station 138. Thus, the vehicleprocessor 504 identifies the presence or absence of the battery poweredtools using the charging station sensor 548 in addition to or instead ofusing the radio tag readers 544 to identify the presence or absence ofthe battery powered tools.

The vehicle processor 504 is configured to identify a state change inthe storage compartment 512 directly or a state change in the vehicle106 that affects the compartment 512. To that end, the vehicle processor504 is operatively connected to the door locked/unlocked sensor 560 inthe storage compartment 512, the transmission gear sensor 524,speedometer sensor 528, and the in-vehicle GPS 532 in vehicleconfigurations that include a GPS. The door locked/unlocked sensor 560is coupled to a lock in the compartment door 134 and generates a signalwhen the compartment door 134 is locked or unlocked. As described below,a state change for the compartment 512 occurs when the compartment door134 is locked, and the vehicle processor 504 identifies if any items aremissing from the compartment 512 in response to the detection of thedoor being locked. The door locked/unlocked sensor 560 is also used incompartment embodiments that are fixed structures such as tool sheds,warehouses, and the like.

In the vehicle 106, the transmission gear sensor 524 and speedometersensor 528 are both coupled to the transmission 520 and generate signalswhen the transmission is placed into a drive gear or when thetransmission moves the vehicle, respectively. A state change occurs wheneither the transmission gear sensor 524 or the speedometer sensor 528indicate that the vehicle is changing from a parked state to a drivingstate. The optional GPS 532 also generates data corresponding to avelocity of the vehicle in a similar manner to the speedometer sensor528. In one configuration, the speedometer sensor 528 and GPS 532generate a state change signal only in response to the vehicle exceedinga predetermined speed or traveling a predetermined distance. Forexample, if the vehicle drives at a low-speed for short distance throughthe work site, then the speedometer 528 and GPS 532 do not indicate astate change to prevent unnecessary generation of alert messages. Onceagain, the vehicle processor 504 identifies a state change when thevehicle 106 changes from a parked state to a state where the vehicle 106is in gear to drive or is moving. The processor 504 identifies itemsthat are missing from the compartment 512 during any of the statechanges to generate alerts if the vehicle is locked or driven from thework site when items are missing from the compartment 512.

In the vehicle 106, the in-vehicle information system 516 includesdevices that enable the vehicle 106 to generate alerts for the vehicleoperator indicating that one or more items are missing from the storagecompartment 512. In different embodiments, the in-vehicle informationsystem 516 includes one or more of a dashboard display panel, head-updisplay, or audio output system with voice synthesis. The in-vehicleinformation system 516 enables generation of alerts to find missingitems after a state change associated with the storage compartment 512.

The wireless network adapter 536 is operatively connected to the vehicleprocessor 504 and includes a combination of hardware and/or softwaremodules to enable communication using one or more wireless datanetworks, which can include WWANs and WLANs. The wireless networkadapter 512 enables the vehicle processor 504 to communicate with theinventory management server 108 and the mobile electronic device 104 inthe system 100. For example, the wireless network adapter 512 sends itemstatus update messages to the inventory management server 108 when itemsare removed from or returned to the storage compartment 512. Thewireless network adapter 512 also sends alert messages identifyingmissing items to the inventory management server 108 and mobileelectronic device 104 if a state change is detected when the items arenot present in the compartment 512.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a cordless, battery powered tool 600 withan associated tag 608. In the example of FIG. 6, the tool 600 is abattery powered tool with a housing 604 that holds a battery 612. Aradio-transponder tag 608, which is an NFC tag in the embodiment of FIG.6, is affixed to the tool housing 604. The tag 608 includes a memorythat stores an identifier for the tool 600. In the compartment of thevehicle 106, the radio tag reader 544 activates the tag 608 in the tool600 when the tool 600 is removed from the compartment 512 or returned tothe compartment 512. Different tool configurations include both passivetags, such as RFID and NFC tags, and active tags, such as a tag similarto the active tag 208 in FIG. 2. While the tool 600 in FIG. 6 includesthe tag 608, in another embodiment the tool 600 does not include a tag.Instead, a charging station 138 in the compartment of the vehicle 106engages the tool 600 to recharge the battery 612, and the chargingstation sensor 548 associated with the charger 138 identifies thepresence or absence of the tool 600.

As described above, the inventory management system 100 enables trackingof items that are removed and returned to the compartment 512. FIG. 8depicts a process 800 for tracking the items and generating alerts ifitems are removed from a compartment when the state of the compartmentchanges. Process 800 is described in conjunction with the system 100 forillustrative purposes. In the discussion below, a reference to theprocess 800 performing a function or action refers to one or moreprocessors, such as the processor 404 in the mobile electronic device104, tag processor 304, vehicle processor 504, and processors in theserver 108, executing programmed instructions stored in a memory tooperate components to perform the function or action.

Process 800 begins with identification of removal of an item from thecompartment or return of an item to the compartment (block 804). In thevehicle 106, the radio tag readers 544 retrieve identification data fromthe tag affixed to an item, such as a container or tool, as the item isremoved from the compartment 512 or returned to the compartment 512. Theprocessor 504 determines whether the item is being removed in responseto the radio tag readers 544 receiving the tag data and the status forthe item in the item status DB 510 indicates that the item is alreadystored in the container 512. Likewise, the processor 504 determines theitem is being returned in response to the radio tag readers 544receiving the tag data and the item status DB 510 indicates the item hasbeen removed from the compartment 512. For battery powered tools thatare connected to the tool charging station 138, the charging stationsensor 548 generates one signal when the tool is connected to thecharging station 138, and another signal when the tool is disconnectedfrom the charging station 138, indicating presence and absence,respectively, of the tool in the compartment 512.

Process 800 continues as the vehicle processor 504 updates the itemstatus database 510 in the memory 508 and sends a message indicating theremoval or return of the item to the inventory management server 108(block 808). In the vehicle 106, the item status DB 510 is stored in asolid-state or other non-volatile data storage device, and the vehicleprocessor 504 changes the status corresponding to the identifier for theitem that was removed or returned to the compartment 512. The vehicleprocessor 504 also sends a message to the inventory management server108 identifying the item and the updated status (present or absent fromthe compartment) with the wireless network adapter 536. The inventorymanagement server 108 stores the updated status information in the itemstatus DB 116 for review by the management terminal 152.

During process 800, multiple items can be removed and returned to thecompartment 512 during operations at the work site. The inventorymanagement system 100 records the updates to the status of the itemswithout generating alerts until the vehicle processor 504 identifies astate change associated with the compartment (block 812). As describedabove, the vehicle processor 504 identifies a state change when the doorlocked/unlocked sensor generates a signal indicating that thecompartment door 134 has been locked, when the transmission gear sensor524 indicates that the transmission 520 has been placed into a drivegear, and when either the speedometer sensor 528 or GPS 532 indicatesthat the vehicle 106 is in motion. In other embodiments, a state changeoccurs at predetermined times, such as at the end of a work shift at thesite, or when a manager operating the remote terminal 152 manuallygenerates a state change event, such as when a work stoppage occurs dueto inclement weather at the work site. The vehicle processor 504 sends amessage indicating the state change, and optionally indicating theparticular event that triggered the state change, to the inventorymanagement server 108.

After identifying the state change in the compartment, the vehicleprocessor 504 identifies missing items from the item status DB 510 inthe memory 508 at the time of the state change (block 816). In analternative configuration, the inventory management server 108determines whether any items are missing instead of or in addition tothe vehicle processor 504 making those determinations. If no items aremissing (block 818), then process 800 returns to the processor describedwith reference to block 804.

If one or more items are missing (block 818), then the vehicle processor504 generates an alert message for output through the in-vehicleinformation system 516 and sends the alert message to either or both themobile electronic device 104 and inventory management server 108 (block820). In the vehicle 106, the wireless network adapter 536 transmits theoutput alert message to the mobile electronic device 104 and theinventory management server 108. The message includes an identificationof the items that are missing.

In one embodiment, either the in-vehicle information system or theinventory management server 108 generates a graphical depiction of itemsin the compartment 512 and indicates the missing item to enable anoperator at the worksite to identify the missing items and the correctlocation in the compartment 512 for the missing items. For example, FIG.7 depicts the mobile electronic device 104 and display 420. The display420 generates an output including text 704 and graphical view 708 of thecompartment 512 in the vehicle 106. The text 704 identifies a missingitem, which is a drill in the example of FIG. 7, and the display 420generates an overhead graphical view 708 including containers stored inthe compartment 512. The indicated container 712 is the location forstoring the drill in the compartment 512. In some embodiments, thein-vehicle information system 516 generates a display similar to thedisplay depicted in FIG. 7. Additionally, the management terminal 152receives an alert message from the inventory management server 108.

In some situations, the alert message can be ignored (block 824). Forexample, in some situations an item removed from the compartment 512remains at the work site intentionally. In other situations, the workvehicle drives short distances around the work site or leaves toretrieve additional supplies and does not need to be reloaded with theitems from the work site. If the alert can be ignored, the operator ofthe mobile electronic device 104 or in-vehicle information system 516acknowledges the alert and either the mobile electronic device 104 orthe vehicle processor 504 sends an acknowledgment message to theinventory management server 108 (block 828). Referring again to FIG. 7,an operator presses the “IGNORE MISSING ITEM” button 716 to acknowledgethe alert without returning the item to the container 512.

If the alert is not ignored (block 824) then process 800 continues untilthe missing items are returned to the compartment 512. In many cases,the missing item is located and returned to the compartment 512 promptly(block 830). The radio tag readers 544 or charging station sensor 548identify that the item has been returned and the vehicle processor 504cancels the alert in response to the signals from the radio tag readers544 or charging station sensor 548 (block 840).

In some situations, the location of a missing item is not known and themissing item is not easily located at the work site (block 830). If anactive tag, such as the tag 208 depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, isaffixed to the missing container or tool, then either the mobileelectronic device 104, vehicle processor 504, or inventory managementserver sends a location request query to the active tag that is affixedto the missing item (block 832). The location request query is forwardedto a predetermined network address, such as an Internet Protocol (IP)address of the active tag through a wireless data network, such as a 3Gor 4G WWAN or through a WLAN at the work site. The location requestoptionally includes authentication data that the active tag verifies toensure that an authorized user generated the location query request.

After sending the location query message, one or more remote computingdevices, such as mobile electronic device 104 or inventory managementserver 108, receives a location response message from the active tag(block 836). Using the tag 208 in FIG. 3 as an example, the tagprocessor 304 activates the GPS 312 to identify a location of the activetag 208 and container 204. The tag processor 304 generates a messageincluding one or more item type identifiers stored in the tag memory 308and the location data from the GPS receiver 312. The wireless networkadapter 316 sends the message to one or both of the mobile electronicdevice 104 or inventory management server 108. In another configuration,the active tag 208 generates additional information, such as velocityinformation when the tag 208 is in motion.

During process 800, the mobile electronic device 104 and inventorymanagement server 108 can generate multiple location query requests totrack the active tag if the active tag and item are moving. The mobileelectronic device 104 can generate a map display that depicts both thepresent location of the mobile electronic device 104 using data from theGPS 432, and the relative location of the active tag using the data fromthe location query response message. Once the missing active tag anditem are located, the item is returned to the compartment 512 and theradio tag readers 544 identify that the missing item has been returned(block 840).

It will be appreciated that variants of the above-described and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirablycombined into many other different systems, applications or methods.Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives,modifications, variations or improvements may be subsequently made bythose skilled in the art that are also intended to be encompassed by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A system for tracking locations of items comprising:a plurality of items, each item being configured to be stored andremoved from a compartment; a plurality of tags affixed to the pluralityof items in a one-to-one correspondence to uniquely identify each itemin the plurality of items with an identifier stored in each tag; a tagreading device associated with the compartment and configured to receivedata from each tag in the plurality of tags in response to each removalfrom and each return to the compartment of each item in the plurality ofitems; a sensor configured to identify a state change of thecompartment; an output device; and a processor communicatively coupledto the tag reading device, the sensor, and the output device, theprocessor being configured to: identify removal of one item in theplurality of items from the compartment with reference to the identifierstored in the tag begin received by the tag reading device; identify thestate change in the compartment with the sensor after identification ofthe removal of the one item and without identifying that the one itemhas been returned to the compartment; and generate an output with theoutput device that includes the identifier corresponding to the one itemin response to the identification of the state change in thecompartment.
 2. The system of claim 1, the sensor being a door locksensor operatively connected to a lock in a door of the compartment andfurther configured to: generate a signal indicating the state change inresponse to the door of the compartment being locked.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, the compartment being configured to be transported by a vehicleand the sensor being one of a speedometer sensor operatively connectedto a transmission and a global positioning system (GPS) sensor in thevehicle and further configured to: generate a signal indicating thestate change in response to a speed of the vehicle being greater than apredetermined threshold.
 4. The system of claim 1, the compartment beingconfigured to be transported by a vehicle and the sensor being a gearsensor operatively connected to a transmission in the vehicle andfurther configured to: generate a signal indicating the state change inresponse to the transmission of the vehicle being placed into a drivegear.
 5. The system of claim 1, the output device being a vehicleinformation system in a vehicle that transports the compartment.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, the output device being a wireless network deviceconfigured to send a message including the identifier corresponding tothe one item to a mobile electronic device.
 7. The system of claim 6further comprising: a memory configured to store data corresponding to agraphical representation of the compartment and predetermined locationsof the plurality of items in the compartment; and the processor beingoperatively connected to the memory and further configured to: generatea graphic of the compartment indicating the one item in thepredetermined location in compartment with reference to the datacorresponding to the graphical representation in the memory; and includethe graphic in the message sent to the mobile electronic device.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, the tag affixed to the one item further comprising: aglobal positions system (GPS) receiver configured to identify a locationof the one item; a wireless network device configured to send andreceive messages using a wireless data network; and a tag processoroperatively connected to the GPS receiver and the wireless networkdevice, the tag processor being further configured to: receive alocation query message transmitted from a computing device through thewireless data network; activate the GPS receiver to identify a locationof the item in response to receiving the location query message; andsend a message including the identified location of the one item to thecomputing device through the wireless data network.
 9. The system ofclaim 8 further comprising: another wireless network devicecommunicatively coupled to the processor; and the processor beingfurther configured to: send the location query message to the tagaffixed to the one item with the other wireless network device inresponse to the identification of the state change in the compartmentwith the sensor after identification of the removal of the one item andwithout identifying that the one item has been returned to thecompartment; receive the message including the identified location ofthe one item from the tag with the other wireless network device; andgenerate the output including the identified location of the one item.10. The system of claim 8, the computing device being a mobileelectronic device comprising: another global positioning system (GPS)receiver; another wireless network device; a display device; and amobile electronic device processor operatively connected to the otherGPS receiver, other wireless network device, the display device, and amemory, the mobile electronic device processor being configured toexecute a software application program including instructions stored inthe memory of the mobile electronic device to: send the location querymessage to the tag affixed to the one item with the other wirelessnetwork device; receive the message including the identified location ofthe one item from the tag with the other wireless network device;identify a location of the mobile electronic device with the other GPSreceiver; and generate the output on the display device including theidentified location of the one item and the identified location of themobile electronic device.
 11. The system of claim 1 further comprising:an electrical charging device for a tool in the compartment; a chargesensor configured to indicate a presence or absence of an electricalconnection between the electric charging device and a tool; and thecharge sensor being communicatively connected to the processor, theprocessor being further configured to: generate another output with theoutput device including an identifier corresponding to the tool inresponse to the identified state change in the compartment occurringwhen the charge sensor indicates the absence of the electricalconnection to the tool.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein the one itemis a container configured to store at least one type of consumable item.13. The system of claim 1 wherein the one item is a container configuredto store at least one tool.
 14. The system of claim 1 wherein the oneitem is a tool and the tag remains affixed to the tool during use of thetool.
 15. A method for tracking locations of items comprising:receiving, with a tag reading device associated with the compartment,data from a tag affixed to one item in response to the one item beingremoved from the compartment, the data from the tag including anidentifier corresponding to the one item; identifying, with a processorassociated with the compartment, the removal of the one item from thecompartment with reference to the identifier corresponding to the oneitem in the data received from the tag reading device; generating, withthe a sensor associated with the compartment, a signal in response to astate change in the compartment; generating, with the processor, anoutput message including the identifier corresponding to the one item inresponse to receiving the signal from the sensor without identifying areturn of the one item to the compartment; and producing, with an outputdevice, an output corresponding to the output message.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, the sensor being a door lock sensor operatively connected to alock in a door of the compartment and the generation of the signalfurther comprising: generating, with the sensor, the signal in responseto the door to the compartment being locked.
 17. The method of claim 15,the compartment being configured to be transported by a vehicle and thesensor being one of a speedometer sensor operatively connected to atransmission and a global positioning system (GPS) sensor in the vehicleand the generation of the signal further comprising: generating, withthe sensor, the signal in response to movement of the vehicle thattransports the compartment.
 18. The method of claim 15, the compartmentbeing configured to be transported by a vehicle and the sensor being agear sensor operatively connected to a transmission in the vehicle andthe generation of the signal further comprising: generating, with thesensor, the signal in response to a shift of the transmission into adrive gear in the vehicle that transports the compartment.
 19. Themethod of claim 15, the production of the output further comprising:producing the output with an information system in a vehicle thattransports the compartment.
 20. The method of claim 15, the productionof the output further comprising: sending, with a wireless networkdevice, the output message to a mobile electronic device for output onthe mobile electronic device.